Poetry, memoir,blogs and photographs from my world on the west coast of Canada.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Bigger Than the Sky

There are panthers in the forests of Mumbai.This sets me dreamingof a land where temples lean towards the sky.A poet walks in footsteps of Siddharthaas another day on Planet Earth goes by.

There's a doctor in the refugee camps of Gazawho lost three daughters to Israeli bombs.He works for peace and daily crosses borders."I shall not hate," he says.I shall not cease."

There's a Sky-show going on this very second!We live in miracles, Traveler,you and I.Look up.Look up!Let's never cease our strivingto keep our visionbigger than the Sky.

Given the recent news, which I admit I am not up to date on, as my old heart cant take it, with the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine, I was reminded of this book, and the poem I wrote in 2011, after I read it.

"I Shall Not Hate - A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity" was written by Izzeldin Abuelaish. He was born and raised in the refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, educated in medicine in the US, and daily goes between his home in the Israeli-controlled Gaza Strip to work in the hospital in Israel. He has devoted his life to medicine, and to reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Three of his daughters were killed by Israeli bombs, and this man's response has won him humanitarian awards. "I Shall Not Hate" he insists. His deepest hope is that his daughters "will be the last sacrifice on the road to peace between Israeli and Palestine."Sadly, given glimpses of the news in recent days, this has not been the case. Wild Woman is doing a lot of staring at the sky these days. Down below, it's too perplexing.I will post this at Poets United's Poetry Pantry.

29 comments:

Wow, I can't imagine having this type of attitude~ It amazes me...You poem is wonderful and the ending just makes me sigh...wow!"Look up!Let's never ceaseour strivingto keep our visionbigger than the Sky."Yes, I so hope we can listen to your wisdom! You have a beautiful voice and I will try to see this view :D@>--------

The news is bleak on all sides of the fence. So much hared, so much destruction. This man is a light of hope in the darkness that hangs over that whole region. As with the doctor, your poem is a beacon of hope for us as a species Sherry. Yes, keep looking toward the sky, it is a sky of peace and not of war.

It's a blessing to see the light, but quite a few see the darkness instead, or choose to see that maybe. I'm glad to have a peaceful horizon where I am, and I hope that peace one day reigns on the world too. Beautiful poetry and a beautiful message, Sherry.

I too spend time staring at the sky hoping we humans can' keep our vision bigger than the sky.' (I posted a poem a few days ago with similar themes) Perhaps our thoughts will join forces across the miles for change. I enjoyed my visit to your blog!

This is more than inspirational, but the word I'm seeking is so large it hasn't been invented yet. To say I will not hate after losing your daughters, your babies? That is the kind of human I want to be. Your poem is beautiful and the subject matter saddened me, tugged at my heart. I remember a dream I had during a dark time in my life. I was walking down a dangerous street and it was so dark I couldn't see... then I looked up at the sky and the stars were so beautiful and colorful... it was like a painting. And I remember thinking in the dream, "If it wasn't so dark, I couldn't see this." So I too believe in looking up at the sky...

May there be peace and no more bombs exploding in either direction...in any direction, in any place beneath the heavens... the sky here is now laced with rose and orange ribboned clouds... let them be the only fiery trails we view above, the only quaking we feel be that of our own hearts, stirred by compassion and love, not violence, hatred, war.

There are panthers in the forests of Mumbai--indeed there are forests at all in Mumbai--because part of the city is marked off as a preserve. However, there are more big cats than there is territory available for them, and so now they tend to wander into the city by night and pick off the odd citizen from time to time. Meow.

Wow. What an amazing message! Do you actually keep three blogs? THat is so amazing. I have my hands full keeping up with one, neglecting the other and balancing work and family! Glad to meet you here! Catching up on my Blog world and wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

A powerful piece about a powerful prophet of a man... my friend the doctor still hasn't returned my book from you... I guess it is a tempting book to hold on to but I shall get it back one of these days... Very distressing times xxxxxx